Association between sociodemographic factors, neighbourhood cigarette smoke exposure and critical illness due to respiratory condition among paediatric population in England, 2014-2023: a retrospective cohort study

The authors aimed to investigate the relationship between sociodemographic factors, neighborhood cigarette smoke exposure, and the risk of respiratory admissions to pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) in England from 2014 to 2023. Their findings indicate that children of Asian and Black ethnicity, as well as those from deprived areas, faced higher rates of PICU admissions and in-PICU mortality, with increased risks associated with higher neighborhood cigarette smoke exposure. The study suggests that targeted tobacco control measures could improve respiratory health outcomes for children.